Jack Scoville
Jack Scoville is an often quoted market analyst in the grain and soft commodities sectors. You will find his commentary throughout the Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Bloomberg, and Barron's publications. Contact Mr. Scoville at (312) 264-4322
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Softs Report 06/07/2024
COTTON
General Comments: Cotton was higher yesterday on speculative short covering and signs of improving demand. The Brazil government is asking Congress there for new taxes on Ag exports of up to 20% and this news added support to the futures market as the flow of Cotton to export channels could be reduced as producers hold back product from the market. USDA said that 60% of the US crop was rated good to excellent on Tuesday afternoon. Big storms were reported in Texas recently that could damage crops. There are also some big problems with too much rain in the Delta and Southeast in recent weeks. Demand has been weaker so far this year but there are hopes for improved demand with the lower prices. The US economic data has been positive, but the Chinese economic data has not been real positive and demand concerns are still around. However, Chinese consumer demand has held together well, and demand for Cotton in world markets has started to increase.
Overnight News:
Chart Trends: Trends in Cotton are mixed. Support is at 72.30, 70.80, and 69.60 July, with resistance of 80.30, 83.20 and 86.20 July.
FCOJ
General Comments: FCOJ closed sharply lower yesterday, and trends are down on the daily charts. The Brazil government is asking Congress there for new taxes on Ag exports of up to 20% and this news added support to the futures market as the flow of FCOJ to export channels could be reduced as producers hold back product from the market. The market remains well supported in the longer term based on forecasts for tight supplies and very hot weather in Florida. The weekly charts show a key reversal down. Retail prices in May hit a new record high of $9.69 a gallon, 9% higher than last year. The reduced production appears to be at the expense of the greening disease. There are no weather concerns to speak of for Florida or for Brazil right now. The weather has improved in Brazil with some moderation in temperatures and increased rainfall amid reports of short supplies in Florida and Brazil are around but will start to disappear as the weather improves and the new crop gets harvested.
Overnight News:
Chart Trends: Trends in FCOJ are mixed to down with no objectives. Support is at 418.00, 406.00, and 389.00 July, with resistance at 452.00, 473.00, and 477.00 July.
COFFEE
General Comments: New York closed a little higher o news that the Brazil government might impose a 20$ tax on agricultural exports and London closed a little lower yesterday in correction trading after the big rally the day before on ideas of reduced offers of Robusta and on forecasts for another couple of weeks of dry weather in Vietnam. There were also reports of poor Robusta yields in Brazil during the harvest. Ideas of less production in Vietnam are driving the rally. There were indications that Brazil and Vietnam producers were now offering Coffee, buts in small amounts, Vietnamese producers are reported to have about a quarter of the crop left to sell or less and reports indicate that Brazil producers are reluctant sellers for now after selling a lot earlier in the year. Exports from Brazil have remained strong.
Overnight News: The ICO daily average price is now 2312.95 ct/lb. Brazil will get mostly scattered showers with near normal temperatures. Central America will get mostly dry conditions. Vietnam will see scattered showers.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed. Support is at 221.00, 212.00, and 208.00 July, and resistance is at 239.00, 241.00 and 245.00 July. Trends in London are up with no objectives. Support is at 4300, 4060, and 3990 July, with resistance at 4540, 4660, and 4780 July.
SUGAR
General Comments: New York closed higher despite harvest progress in Brazil and the charts show that trends are turning up. London closed a little higher. End users need Sugar but are not finding too much available in the cash market. There are still ideas that the Brazil harvest can be strong for the next few weeks amid dry harvest weather. Harvest weather is called good in center-south Brazil. There are worries about the Thai and Indian production, but data shows better than expected production from both countries. Offers from Brazil are still active.
Overnight News: Brazil will get rains in the south and scattered showers in the north. Temperatures should average above normal. India will get mostly dry conditions and below normal temperatures.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed to up with objectives of 1990 and 2090 July. Support is at 1880, 1840, and 1800 July and resistance is at 1950, 3000, and 2050 July. Trends in London are mixed to up with objectives of 581.00 and 608.00 August. Support is at 555.00, 548.00, and 536.00 August, with resistance at 570.00, 578.00, and 586.00 August.
COCOA
Questions? Ask Jack Scoville today at 312-264-4322General Comments: Both markets were higher yesterday and have developed into a trading range for now. Production concerns in West Africa as well as demand from nontraditional sources along with traditional buyers keep supporting futures. Production in West Africa could be reduced this year due to the extreme weather which included Harmattan conditions. The availability of Cocoa from West Africa remains very restricted and projections for another production deficit against demand for the coming year are increasing. Ideas of tight supplies remain based on more reports of reduced arrivals in Ivory Coast and Ghana continue. Mid crop harvest is now underway and here are hopes for additional supplies for the market from the second harvest. Demand continues to be strong, especially from traditional buyers of Cocoa.
Overnight News:
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed Support is at 8930, 7870, and 7370 July, with resistance at 10210, 10520, and 11120 May. Trends in London are mixed. Support is at 7260, 6610, and 6160 July, with resistance at 7930, 8190, and 8250 July.